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Home Refinancing Rates - When Is It Worth It To Refi?
By: Carrie Reeder iSnare Expert Author
When interest rates were two points below your current mortgage rate, it was
considered a good rule of thumb to refinance. But with today’s low closing
costs, a difference of one percent can save you money on your interest costs.
Even with low fees, it only worth it to refinance when you can be sure you can
recoup the mortgage costs.
Figuring Up Costs
Refinancing is simply paying off one loan and taking a new one. The same fees
that you paid with the first mortgage, you will probably have to pay for the
second mortgage. Usually, loan cost range between $2000 to $6000 for a $200,000
loan. You will also have to add in points for lower interest rates, adding
additional thousands. The only way to recoup these costs is to keep your
mortgage for several years.
Interest Rates
To make refinancing worth it financially, you need to be sure that interest
rates are low enough to pay for the cost of refinancing. One simple way to
figure this out is to use a mortgage interest calculator from one of the lending
sites. These calculators will give you an estimated monthly payment and the
total cost of the interest. By punching in different interest rates, you can see
your potential savings.
Short Term
Besides interest rates, you also need to compare terms. The shorter the loan the
less you will pay in interest. Ideally when you refinance, you should choose a
loan with a shorter term. You can also choose a biweekly mortgage, where you pay
half a mortgage payment every other week, which can reduce your loan by years.
Finding Low Cost Lenders
Not all lenders charge the same fees or interest rates, so you can save
thousands by searching for lenders. You can easily go to the big name mortgage
lenders and request quotes, but some smaller financing companies offer better
deals. The easiest way to find them is through an online mortgage broker site.
Basically, you enter some basic information about yourself and income, and then
you receive several different quotes. From this list of offers, you can decide
who is offering the best refi package.
About the Author:
See my recommended Home Mortgage Refinance Lenders for the lowest rates online. Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, which offers help finding low rate home mortgage loans. |